Machine tool



R. A. SCHAFER MACHINE TOOL Aug. 13, 1946.

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MACHINE TOOL R. A.,SCHAFER MACHINE TOOL Aug. 13; 1946.

Filed May 5, I944 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 EQPuRPW QRBDNEUSA Patented Aug. 13, 1946 MACHINE TOOL Robert A. Schafer, Richmond, Ind., assignor to National Automatic Tool Company, Inc., Rich'- mond, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Application May 5, 1944, Serial No. 534,220

11 Claims.

My invention relates generally to machine tools, and more particularly to improved mechanical and electrical control means for machine tools used for tapping operations.

It has been common practice to provide machine tools with suitable controls for causing a spindle driving motor to reverse at the end of a forward portion tapping cycle and to stop after the tap has been withdrawn from the work. Such machines have usually included a rotary limit switch, geared to the tap carrying spindle, which could be set to cause reversal of the spindle driving motor and application of a brake thereto upon completion of a predetermined number of revolutions of the spindle, and to cause the motor to stop after it had driven the spindle in the reverse direction an equal number of revolutions.

Due to the momentum, particularly of the rotating parts of the motor, such limit switch necessarily had to operate with a high degree of precision and reliability, to prevent tapping to a greater depth than desired. Since in many pieces of work the tapping operation required that the tap substantially bottom in the hole, slight overrunning of the tap often resulted in breaking the taper damaging the work. Under ordinary circumstances such limit switch controlled tapping machines would operate properly, but occasionally, after some use, either the limit switch or the solenoid brake on the motor failed to operate properly, and the resulting undesirable overrunning of the tap occurred sufficiently frequently to render thistype of control not entirely satisfactory.

Various other expedients, such as mechanically operated snap-acting clutches, have similarly been found subject to failure, resulting in overrunning of the taps.

It is therefore an object of myinvention to provide a, tapping machine with improved safety means for controlling the operation of the spindle driving motor, which is positive in operation, and which will preclude over-running of the taps.

A further object is to provide an improved machine tool for performing tapping operations, in which the operation of the spindle driving motor is electrically controlled, and in which safety mechanical clutch means are provided to' prevent over-running of the tap carrying spindles in the event of failure of the electrical reversing system, or failure of the solenoid operated brake on the motor.

,A further object is toprovide an improved control means for a machine tool used in the performance-of tapping operations.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showingthe safety clutch and a portion of the spindle drive gearing, and taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. '7; I

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of the limit switch and clutch operating mechanism, taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view, taken. on the line 'I'| of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a simplified schematic wiring diagram of the electrical control circuits; and

Fig. 9 is a schematic wiring diagram of the electrical control and power circuits.

' General description The invention is illustrated as embodied in a machine tool comprising a base 52 (Figs'l and 2) a vertical column 53, and a tapping unit head 5 adjustably secured to the column 53. The tapping unit comprises one or more spindles 55 carrying taps 58 and driven by a motor 60 through gearing contained in a gear box 62, and through a clutch mechanism contained in a casing 64. Suitably mounted on the base 52 is a push button panel 66 having a forward push button 68, a reverse push button 10, and a selector push button 12. Suitably mounted at the rear of the vertical column 53 is a cabinet M containing various relays and electrical control circuit elements,

1 55 bearing assemblies 89 and 90. The gear 86 has the rotation switch cover plate removed;

same

jaws 32 formed on its upper hub for engagement with complementary jaws 94 formed on a clutch member 95, the member 96 being suitably splined or keyed to a shaft 93 so as to be longitudinally slidable thereon. The clutch member at is provided with an annular groove Ifiil to receive a pair of roller carrying pins I02 secured to a clutch operating yoke I04 (Fig. '7), the latter being secured to a shaft IE5.

Suitably splined to the lower end of the shaft Q8 is a main drive pinion I88 (Fig. 5). As best shown in Fig. 3, the pinion I03 meshes with'a gear H0 carried by a countershaft H2 suitably mounted for rotation in the gear look 62. A pine ion IIIl secured to the shaft H2 mesheswith gears H6, each non-rotatably secured to a spindle drive shaft H8.

the gear box 62. has a slip coupling member I23 formed at the lower en'dthereof to receive the splined end I22 of .a lead screw I24. The lead screw i2 is threaded in a lead screw nut I26 and may be formed integrally withthe tool receiving spindle I28. Resting upon the nut 12%, andnon-rot'atably interlocked therewith, is a washer I29 having sidewardly extending lugs 133 which are guided in slots I32 formed in a spindle sleeve I34, The nut I is not rotatable in the sleeve I34, but is capable of limited movement longitudinally thereof. Suitable bearing bushings I36 and I 38 are secured in the sleeve in: for rotatably supporting the spindle. The sleeve I has an annularly grooved enlarged lower end portion I40 which is detachably securedagainst'the lower end of the spindle box by means of a suitable clamp I 12. The sleeve It'i'may be provided with a depending oil guard skirt portion'l id. j

Thus, as the spindle shaft H8 rotates, the *lead screw 124 feeds downwardly through the nut I26 and advances the tap into the work- In the event that, prior to entering the hole to be tappedthe tap meets an obstruction preventing its downward movement (as'might be the case if, due to some error; the'workpiecewas not properly drilled for the hole to be tapped), the nut 12% may travel upwardly on the lead screw against the force applied by "a spring I 45, and thus prevent breakage of the tap. The coil spring I is compressed between the bushing I35 and the washer I 29 resting upon the upper end of the nut I25, and maintains sufficient downward pressure on the tap to cause it to engage and feed into the work. Upon reverse rotation of the spindle shaft I22, the lead screw will feed upwardly through the nut I26, and thus when the tap has been completely withdrawn from the work, the nut will have returned to the position in which it is shown in Fig. 3.

Clutch disengaging mechanism A pinion I (Figs. 5 and '7) is non rotata'bly secured to the shaft 98 and meshes with a gear I52 secured to a shaft I5 5; The shaft I55 carries a worm I56 meshing with a worm gear I58. The worm gear IE8 is secured to a shaft I66 mounted in suitable anti-friction bearings I52, I63, and having a gear I54 at its right-hand end (Fig. '7). The gear I54 meshes with a pair of idler pinions I85, I67, which are mounted for free rotation on stationary pins I88, the idler pinions I65, I 61 meshing with an internal gear Il'EI formed integrally with a cam disc I12.

As best shown in Fig. 6,- a stop cam IM, a clutch disengaging cam 1T6, a clutch over-travel The spindle drive --sh-afts 7 H8 are suitably mounted in bearings formed in I Each of the spindle shafts H8 cam I78, and a reverse cam I are adjustably secured to the cam disc I72, being non-rotatably clamped thereto by means of a nut I82. The cam I 89 is adapted to engage a roller on the actuating arm I84 of a reverse limit switch RLSFI while the cam I74 is adapted to engage the roller on the end of the actuating arm I86 of a rotary limit or stop switch RLS RI.

The cams I16 and H8 are in alignment with a roller I88 carried by a clutch latch bellcrank I50. The latch I90 is pivoted on a stud I92 and has a portion I94 engageable in a notch I96 formed in a bifurcated clutch lever I9 8. The portion I94 of the clutch latch is held in engagement in the notch I 96 of the clutch lever by a compression coil spring 2% mounted in suitable sockets formed in the latch I 90, and in the upper arm of. the clutch lever I88. The clutch lever I98 is non-rotatably secured to the shaft I06 to which, it will be recalled, the clutch operating yoke I04 is secured. Thus, counterclockwise movement (Fig. 6) of the clutch lever I 38 will cause disengagement of the jaw clutch '92, 94, and thereby disengage the gear 88 from the shaft 93, and interrupt the drive to the. spindles.

When the spindles are being driven in the forward direction, the clutch disc 112 (Fig. 6) rotates counterclockwise and such rotation will continue until the cam I engages the roller on the operating arm I84 of the reverse limit switch RLS-FI, whereupon, as will hereinafter appear, the connections to the motor 50 will be changed to cause it to reverse its direction of rotation. If, however, the switch RLS-FI fails to operate, the continued counterclockwise movement of the cam disc I72 will cause the cam I18 .to engage the roller I88 of the clutch latch I and swing the latter clockwis to disengage its latch portion I 9 l'from the notch "I95. 'Due to the action of the spring 20s, the clutch lever I98 will thus be swung counterclockwise, and thereby raise the yoke pins I62 (Fig. 5) and disengage the jaw clutch member 96 from the jaws 92 on the hub of the gear 85. If the spring 239 is not sufficiently powerful to cause such clutch disengagement, the adjacent portioncf the clutch latch I9!) will engage the upper arm of the clutch lever Hi8 and forcibly disengage the clutch.

In a similar manner, upon completion of'the required number of reverse revolutions 'of'the taps, the stop cam I74 will engage the roller on the actuating arm I85 of the rotary limitswitch RLS -RI to cause deenergization of the spindle driving motor 60. If, however, through some failme of the switch RLS-RI, "or through failure of the plugging circuit to operate properly, themetor contin'ues'to coast to an undesirable extent, the cam I16 will engage the roller I88 and thereby swing the clutch latch I 96 clockwise to cause the latch portion I94 thereofto be removed from the notch I96 and thus effect counterclockwise swinging movement of the bifurcated clutch lever I98 to cause disengagement of the clutch 92, 94, and thereby disconnect the driving motor -65 from the tap carrying spindles. Since the momentum of the, spindles is relatively slight compared to the frictional torque load retarding movement thereof, the spindles will piomptly come to rest, while the mot-or 6! may continue to coast harmlessly,

If the operator finds that the motor continues running after the jaw clutch 92, 96 isdise'ngaged, it will indicate that the reverse limit switch pair or replacement. Similarly, if "the motor fails 5. to stop after completion of the return portion of the cycle, it will indicate to the operator that the stop switch RLSR! has failed to operate and correction of this condition is required.

After an occurrence of disengagement of the jaw clutch 92, 94, the operator will be required to reposition the clutch latch, clutch lever, and jaw clutch members in latching and clutch engaging position. To accomplish this, there i provided a stub shaft 202 having a squared end portion 204 for engagement by a suitable crank-like tool. The shaft 282 has a notched coupling element 206 at its lower end, the notches thereof being engageable with the ends of a pin 298 which extends diametrically through the upper end of the shaft 93. The shaft 202 is normally held in its upper position by a compression coil spring 2l0 with the coupling 296 free from the pin 26%. When it is necessary to reset the clutch latching elements, the operator applies a crank to the upper end of the shaft 282 and presses the shaft downwardly to cause engagement of the coupling member 286 with the pin 258, and then rotates the shaft 98 in such direction as will cause the cam members I'M, H8, H8, and Hill to be rotated to their normal positions, such as shown, for example, in Fig. 6.

When the cams H4, H6, H8, and lSEl have thus been rotated to normal position, a suitable crank or wrench is applied to the squared end of shaft I06. By rotating shaft I86 clockwise (Fig. 6), the clutch member 96 will be moved downwardly to reengage its jaw 94 with jaws 92, and the clutch operating lever I98 will be swung clockwise again-st the force of the spring 20! until the plate le of the latch i911 reengages in the notch I96. It will be apparent that in order to reengage the clutch in this manner, the movement of the roller I88 must not be impeded by either the cam H6 or cam llll.

A pulley 22B is non-rotatably secured to the upper end of the worm shaft led and is provided with a belt 222 for the operation of a rotation plugging switch RS, this switch being of conventional construction and operating to close switch contacts RSF (Figs. 8 and 9) when the spindle is being driven in a forward direction, and to close switch contacts RSR when the spindle is being driven in a reverse direction. This switch mechanism operates promptly after any change in the direction of rotation of the shaft 98, since the belt 222 i in firm frictional engagement with the pulley 228 and the switch mechanism has but little lost motion.

Control circuits The control circuits for the machine are 11- lustrated in simplified form in Fig. 8, and in more complete form in Fig. 9. Referring to these figures, a transformer 2l2 ha its primary wind ing connected to line conductors Ll and L3, and its secondary winding being connected to control conductors CI and C3. When the machine i to be manually controlled, the push button operated selector switch 72 is in its upper position, connecting conductor C3 to conductor 5. The motor 66 may then be jogged in a forward or reverse direction by pressing the push button 58 or the push button H3.

When the push button 88 is operated, the conductor is connected to the conductor 6 and thereby completes a circuit through the winding of control relay CR! to the return conductor Cl. Energization of relay CRl operates, the contacts bearing the reference character CR'l.

Closure of the CRl contact between conductor C3 and conductor It results in energization of CRFl.

The relay CRFI is looked as soon as the motor starts forward, by means of rotation switch RE. which completes a circuit from conductor 03, switch RSF, conductor 26, and winding of CR4 to conductor Cl. Energization of CR4 resultsin closure of the CR4 contacts between conductors C3 and Cl 3. Since the CRFl contacts between conductors l3 and I4, are closed, a locking circuit is thus established for the winding of CRFl.

Energization of relay CRl also closes the CRl contacts between conductors II and I2, and energization of CRFI closes its contacts between conductors l2 and'l3. A circuit through the relay Fl is thus completed, this circuit being traced as follows: Conductor C3, CRl contacts, conductor l4, CRFI contacts, conductor l3, CRF! contacts, conductor l2, CRl contacts, conductor l l, reverse push button switch ll}, conductor l, RLS-Fl contacts, conductor I5, winding Fl, to conductor C I i L I i Energization of Fl results in starting the motor 6!! in a forward direction. The motor will run in a forward direction until the forward push button 68 is released, thus deenergizing CRl, or until the limit switch RLS'Fl opens the contacts between conductors l and 15 at the forward limit. Opening the latter contacts, or deenergizing the relay CRl will, of course, result in deenergization of Fl and thus interrupt the current supply to the motor 6E.

Control relay CR4 remains energized as long as the motor Bl! continues to rotate or coast forward,

1 thus maintaining the holding circuit for CRFl until forward rotation of the motor ceases.

Whenrelay Fl is deenergized, it closes its contacts between conductors 22 andsl, Thus a circuit BI is completed from the conductor C3, con-.

' tacts of CR4, conductor l3, closed contacts of CRFl, conductor 20, closed contacts of CRI, conductor 2i, closed contacts of CR6, conductor 222, closed contacts of Fl, conductor l, closed contacts of RLSR|, conductor l8, and windingarm of RI to conductor Cl.

Energization of RI results in applying power to the motor 69 to cause it to rotate in the reverse direction. This application of reverse torque to the motor causes it to stop quickly and commence rotating in the reverse direction. As soon as the motor starts rotating in the reverse direction, it opens the rotation switch contacts RSF, and closes contacts RSR, thus deenergizing CR4 and energizing CR5. Deenergization of CR4 opens its contacts between conductors H and 22, which opens the previously described energizing circuit for RI. This will occur promptly after the reversal of the motor. The motor will stop rather promptly due to friction, the extent of re'vcrserotation depending upon the length of time it takes CR4 to open and upon the amount of friction in the machine.

To cause the motor to operate in the reverse direction, the reverse Push button 10 is depressed and this results in reverse rotation of the motor in a manner similar to that described above with. reference to forward rotation. V

More specifically, operation of the reverse push button it! completes a circuit from the conductor C3 through the selector switch l2 (the latter being in its upper position, Fig. 8), conductor 5', reverse'switch l0, conductor IE, to energize relay CR2. Thus the contacts CR2 between conductors C3 and l? are closed, and relay CRRI is energized. The contacts CRRI between conductors 4 and I'll are thus closed, and a circuit for energiz'ation of contacts CR2, conductor 2, push button switch 58.

(in its upper position), conductor l, contacts RLS-Rl, and winding of relay R! to conductor 7 Energization of relay R! causes operation of the contacts shown above it in Fig. 9, thereby changing the connections to the motor 60 to cause it to rotat in the reverse direction. As soon as such reverse rotation has commenced, the rotation switch contacts RSR are closed, and relay CR5 thereby energized, establishing a connection between conductors C3 and 4. The motor will therefore continue rotating in the reverse direction until the push button 16 is released, or the rotary limit switchRLS-Rlis opened due to the return of the taps to their starting or normal position Such opening of the RLS--R! contacts between conductors and !8 deenergizes relay RE and temporarily energizes relay F! through a circuit traced as follows: conductor C3, contacts CR2, conductor !l, contacts CRRI, conductor 4,

contacts CRRI, conductor 8, contacts CR2, conductor-9, contacts CR5, conductor !0, contacts RI, conductor 1, upper contacts of RLS-Fl, and re lay F! to conductor CI. The relay F! will operate. the motor control contacts so as to connect the motor 80 to the line conductors Ll, L2, and L3, in a manner to cause forward rotation of the motor. The application of current to the motor in the forward direction applies a braking or plugging torque to the motor so that it stops its reverse rotation rapidly and commences rotating forwardly. Upon initial forward movement of the motor, the rotationswitch contacts RSR will be opened, thus deenergizing CR5 and opening the contacts CR5 between conductors 9 and I0, thereby deenergizing relay Fl and bringing the motor .to a stop.

It will be understood that the tapping head unit 54 may form part of a single head'machine either of the vertical or horizontal type, or may be at any desired angle relative to the vertical, and that it ma form part of a multiple unit machine simultaneously or successively performing a multiplicity of machine operations upon the work. In such multi-unit machines particularly, it is desirable to provide for automatic tapping cycles. In the machine illustrated, this is accomplished by operating the selector push button E2 to its automatic cycle position, that is, closing the switch between conductors C3 and 25. Closure of this switch results in energization of CR3. The automatic cycle is started by pressing the forward push button 68, thereby energizing CR! through the following circuit: conductor C3, selector switch 72, conductor 25, contacts CR3, conductor 5, push button switch 68, conductor 5, CR! to conductor Cl.

Energizatioh of CR! completes a circuit to energize CRF! as follows: conductor C3, contacts CRI, conductor !4, CRFI, and Cl. Energization of CRFicompletes a. circuit to energize F! as follows: conductor C3, contacts CRl, conductor !4, contacts CRFI, conductor !3, contacts CRF!, conductor !2, contacts CRI, conductor ll, contacts of reverse switch !5 (in itsalupper position). conductor 7, upper contacts pf RLS Fi, conductor !5, relay FI, and conductor Cl. Relay Fi causes the current to be suppliedto the motor E8 in a. manner to,cause forward rotation thereof. As soon as the motor starts in a forward direction, the rotation switch contacts RSF are closed, ener- 8' gizing, CR4. Closure of contacts CR4 connects conductor C3 to conductor !3, and, through contacts CRF! and conductor !4, establishes a holding circuit for relayCRFl. The motor thus continues rotating forwardl until the forward limit switch RLSF! is opened, thereby opening its contacts between conductors and !5, whereupon the supply of current to the motor '60 is interrupted by deenergization of relay Fl. It will be noted that upon energization of CR3, conductors and i2 are connected by the CR3 contacts so that when the forward push button 68 is released and CR! deenergized, the holdingcircuit for relay F! will remain established.

When RLS-F! is operated, its lowercontacts between conductors 25 and !6 are closed, thereby establishing a circuit through CR2. The consequent energization of CR2 results in the energization of CRR! through the following circuit: conductor C3, contacts CR2, conductor !l, relay CRRI, and conductor CI. Energization of CRR! through closure of its contacts results in the energization of R! to cause the application of a plugging torque to the motor 60, this being accomplished through the following circuit: conductor C3, contacts CR2, conductor il contacts CRR!, conductor 4,. contact CRRI, conductor 3, contacts CR2, conductor 2, push butto switch 68, conductor limit switch RLSR!, conducto It, and relay R! of conductor Ci. As soon as the motor has been stopped and commences reverse rotation, the rotation switch contact 'RSR are closed, thereby energizing CR5. Energization of CR5 results in locking (JR-R! in energized condition until reverse rotation stops, through the following circuit: from conductor C3, contacts CR5, conductor 5, contacts CRRI, conductor I7, and relay CRRI, to conductor CI. The motor will therefore run in reverse direction until limit switch RLSR! is opened, thereby deenergizing relay R! and interrupting the supply of current to the motor 60.

When rela R! is deenergizecl, its contacts between conductors i0 and l are closed, and this results in energization of relay F! through the following circuit: conductor C3, contacts CR5, conductor 4, contacts CRRI, conductor 8, contacts CR2, conductor 9, contacts CR5, conductor !0,

contacts RI, conductor' 1, upper contacts of RLS-Fl, conductor !5, relay F1, to conductor Ci. Energization of relay F! resultsin the application of power to the motor (it! to apply a forward torque thereto, thus bringing the motor to rest and starting it in a forward direction. Upon initial forward rotation of the motor, the rotary switch contacts RSR are opened, thereby deenergizing relay CR5, and immediately thereafter closing rotation switch contacts RSF to energize CR S; When CR5 is deenergized, it opens its contacts between conductors 9 and I6, breaking the energizing circuit for relay F!, and thus cutting off the supply of power to the motor 60. The motor therefore coasts forward to rest, completing an automatic cycle.

Operation The details of the operation of the machine.

the controls of the machine may be conditioned either for independent push button control or forautomatic cycling. When the selector switch 12 stopped, whether it has been rotating in a forward or reverse direction, current is supplied to the motor in a manner to apply a braking or plugging torque thereto, thus overcoming the dimculties inherent in the variable coasting of the.

motor to a stop. -This application of electromagnetically applyingreverse torque to the motor in order to stop it will operate in every case except in the event of power failure. Under the latter unusual condition, the motor Willmerely coast to a stop.

If for any reason either of the rotary limit switches RLS-Fl, RLSRI, should fail to operate properly, the clutch release mechanism will be tripped by the cam H6, or the cam I18, and

the spindles will come to rest quickly while the motor 60 may coast freely to a stop.- After the clutch 92, 84 has been disengaged, it is necessary for the operator to reset the clutch manual- 15'. The fact' that it requires some effort upon the part of the operator to reset the clutch will usually induce the operator to see that the fault which caused the clutch disengagement is promptly corrected. The resetting of the clutch requires that the operator apply a crank to the end of the shaft 202 and rotate the spindles back to operative position, and then effect reengagement of the clutch and repositioning of the'clutch latching mechanism.

From the foregoing, it will appear that the invention provides a simple and effective means for positively preventing over-travel of the spindles in either direction, and thus affords adequate protection against damage to work and tools-which might otherwise result from such over-travel. I

While I have shown and described a particular embodiment of my invention, it will be apparent that numerous variations and modifications thereof may be made without departing from the underlying principles of the invention. I therefore desire, by the following c1aims,'to include within th scope of my invention all such variations and modifications by which substantially the results of my invention may be obtained through the use of substantially the same or equivalent means.

I claim:

1. In a machine tool for performing ta in operations, the combination of a driving motor, a

clutch mechanism to sever the driving connec tion between said motor and said spindle in the event of substantial over-travel of said spindle due to failure of either of said limit switches 10' to operate promptly to reverse or stop the operation of said motor.

'2. In a machine tool for performing tapping operations, the combination of a driving motor, a tap carrying spindle, gearing connecting said motor to said spindle, said gearing including a clutch mechanism for severing the driving connection between said motor and said spindle, a control circuit including limit switch means operable to cause reversal of the direction, of rotation of said motor upon completion of a predetermined number of revolutions of said spindle in a forward direction and after said spindle has been rotated in a reverse direction through said predetermined number of revolutions, and means to cause disengagement of said clutch mechanism upon substantial over-travel of said spindle.

3. In a machine tool for performing tapping operations, the combination of a driving motor, a tap carrying spindle, a gear train including a clutch forming a driving connection between said motor and said spindle, electrical meansfor controlling the application of power to said motor, said means including two limit'switches, a cam plate, means for driving said cam plate with said spindle, a plurality of cams adjustably secured to said cam plate for respectively operating said limit switches, means for operating said clutch to cause disengagement thereof, and a pair of cams adjustably secured to. said cam plate and arranged to operate said clutch disengaging means upon failure of either of said limit switchesto stop the operation of the motor when such limit switch is'operatively engaged by its associated cam.v

4. In a machine tool for performing tapping operations, the combination of a driving motor, a'tap carrying'spin'dle, a gear train including a clutch forming a driving connection between said motor and said spindle, electrical means for controlling the application of power'to said motor,

said means including a limit switch, a camplate, me'an'sfor driving said cam plate with said spindle, a cam'adjustably secured to said cam plate for'operating said limit switch, means for operating'said clutch to cause disengagement thereof, and a cam adjustably secured to said c'am plate and arranged to operate said clutch disengaging means upon failure of said limit switch to stop the operation of the motor when said limit switch is operatively engaged by said cam.

5. In a machine tool for performing tapping operations, thecombination of a driving motor, a tap carrying spindle, a gear train including a clutch forming a driving connection between said motor and said spindle, electrical means for controlling the application of power to said motor, said means including a limit switch, a cam for operating said limit switch, means for driving said cam with said spindle, latching means holding said clutch engaged, and means for tripping said latching means to cause disengagement of saidclutch upon failure of said limit switch to stop the operation of the motor when said limit switch is operatively engaged by said cam.

6. In a machine tool for performing tapping operations, the combination of a driving motor, a tap carrying spindle, a positive mechanical clutch and gearing forming a driving connection between said motor and said spindle, cam means geared to said spindle, limit switches respectively operable by said cam means at the ends of the forward and reverse rotation of said spindle, con trol circuits rendered effective by the operation of said limit switches to cause application of power to said motor in a manner to provide a braking torque thereto to cause the motor rapidly to come torestand to commence rotation in the opposite-direction, and a rotation switch mechanism responsive to the direction of rotation of said motor to interrupt the supply of braking torque current to said motor promptlyuafter it has changed its direction of rotation.

7. In a machine tool for performing tapping operations, the combination of a driving motor, a tap carrying spindle, apositive mechanical clutch and gearing forming a driving connection between said motor and said spindle, cam means geared to said spindle, limit switches respectively operable by said cam means at. the ends of the forward and reverse rotation of said spindle, control circuits rendered efiective by the operation of said limit switches to cause application of power to said motor in a manner to provide a braking torque thereto to cause the motor rapidly to come to rest and to commence rotation in the opposite direction, a rotation switch mechanism responsive to the direction of rotation of said motor to interrupt the supply of braking torque current to said motor promptly after it has changed its direction of rotationfandmeans to disengage said clutch upon failure of said'motor to come to rest promptly after the'operative engagement of said cam means and one of said said clutch upon failure of said limit switch to stop the operation of the motor when said limit switch is operatively engaged by'said cam, and

manually operable means to' rotate said spindle toa position in which said clutch latching means may be reset.

9. In a machine tool for performing tapping operations, the combination of a driving motor, a tap carrying spindle including an individual lead screw, a gear train including a clutch forming a driving connection between said motor and said spindle, electrical means for controlling the application of power to said motor, said means including a limit switch, limit switch operating means geared to said spindle, and means geared to said spindle for operating said clutch to cause disengagement thereof, said last named means operating only upon failure of said limit switch to stop the operation of'the motor promptly after operation of the limit switch.

10. In a machine tool for performing tapping operations, the combination of a driving motor, a tap carrying spindle, a gear train including a clutch forming a driving connection between said motor and said spindle, electrical means for controlling the application of power to said 'rnotor, said means including two limit switches, a cam support, means for moving said cam support at a speed and to an extent proportional to the rotation of said spindle, a plurality of cams adjustably secured to said support for respectively operating said limit switches, means for operating said clutch to cause disengagement thereof, and means adjustabiy secured to said' support and arranged to operate said clutchv disengaging means upon failure of either of said limit switches to stop the operation of the motor when such nection between said motor and said spindle, a

control circuit including limitswitch means operable to stop said motor upon completion of a predetermined number of" revolutions of said spindle in a forward direction, and means to cause disengagement of said clutch mechanism upon substantial over-travel of said spindle.

ROBERT A. SCHAFER, V 

